Head of Legal

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Head of Legal (Trust) to join Meritus, Powered by Opera.  With a family focused culture and global reputation for delivering excellence, the Meritus team comprises an extraordinary group of professionals who operate in a culture of acceptance, inclusion and respect. Meritus, Powered by Opera values empathy, passion, courage and humility, and are central to the daily interactions within its team and to the services provided to its high net worth client families.

The Head of Legal, is a key executive on the leadership team and
responsible for overseeing all legal matters, providing expert legal advice on trust law, fiduciary duties, structuring, and/or estate planning matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with clients, financial advisors, and other professionals to develop customized trust solutions.
• Plan and lead regular meetings with settlors, beneficiaries, investment professionals, lawyers and accountants for portfolios.
• Interpret complex trust and company structures and contribute
  innovative, value-adding solutions that achieve family objectives.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legal regulations and industry best practices.
• Draft and review commercial documentation for Meritus and the family trusts and companies, including transactional documentation, company reorganizational documentation trust agreements, deeds, contracts, and other legal documents.
• Monitor legal developments and regulatory changes affecting trusts and corporate administration.
• Collaborate with internal departments to support business operations and strategic initiatives.
• Manage legal proceedings and external teams related to trusts and fiduciary matters.
• Conduct legal research and stay updated on changes in trust and estate laws.
• Provide training for the team on relevant topics.
• Contribute to efforts in attracting new clients and developing new initiatives.
• Devise, design and facilitate the creation of sophisticated and complex private client structures, private trust companies, family office arrangements and other trust arrangements.

Essential Requirements:

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Bermuda bar; and another law jurisdiction bar is desirable.
• Minimum 10 years post-qualification experience
• Proven Private Client experience is a pre-requisite, (being experience in the practice of trusts/private client law either in private practice or in-house)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience in managing large-scale projects.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• High ethical standards, detail-oriented and able to manage complex legal matters.
• Highly motivated, proactive, well organized team player who contributes to the continuous improvement of the Trust company and their families.
• TEP designation is desirable though not essential.

Meritus recently became the first company in Bermuda to be awarded the Platinum standard as a Mindful Employer by the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation.   We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is a central part of our culture, and we are committed to making Meritus, Powered by Opera a truly inclusive place to work.  

If you are looking for an opportunity to be challenged and have the experience needed to quickly become a valuable contributor, we invite you to apply no later than June 9th, 2026